THE ANCIENT TAOIST PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCITY
IF YOU DO ME A FAVOR, I WILL RETURN A GREATER FAVOR TO YOU BUT IF YOU HURT ME, I WILL NOT OFFER THE OTHER CHEEK. IF YOU INSULT ME, I WILL PUNCH YOU; IF YOU PUNCH ME, I WILL BREAK YOUR ARM; IF YOU BREAK MY ARM, I WILL BREAK YOUR LEG; AND IF YOU BREAK MY LEG, I WILL PUT YOU IN A COFFIN

Origin of Tai-Sui (太岁)
Originally, Tai-Sui (太岁), Grand Duke Of Jupiter, was an IMAGINARY Jupiter (岁星 / 木星）, that follows the exact path of Jupiter in the opposite direction, thereafter, transformed into a group of 60 deities.

Jupiter revolves the Sun every 11.86 Earth years, and this was how the 12 Earthly Branches came into play in the subject of divination. The celestial sphere was divided into 12 sections, each representing two hours of a day. Jupiter moves into each of these 12 sections yearly, which forms the 12 astrological signs.

Since Jupiter’s period is 11.86 years and the celestial sphere consists of 12 sections, it does not synchronize to give an accurate interpretation of the astrological signs. After a long period, the error will be noticeable, that was how the concept of Tai Sui (太岁) came about. Tai Sui (the year star, also the Great Duke of Jupiter) is an intangible (imaginary) star that was created to correct this error between the 12 branches and Jupiter’s period. It revolves the celestial sphere in exactly 12 Earth years. With the introduction of Tai Sui, the astrological signs can then be interpreted with consistency.

The day that Tai Sui transits into a new section of the celestial sphere is on the Li-Chun (立春) - “Beginning Of Spring”.

Now, You know that Tai Sui is not just the group of 60 Taoist deities; it originated for the purpose of math and science.

60 Honorable Generals Were Deified As Tai Suis
Tai Sui was first recorded to be deified in Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE). It was until the Jin Dynasty, the Emperor Zhangzong (August 31, 1168 – December 29, 1208) started to worship his mother's natal star to pray for a fast recovery from her illness, the Tai Sui worshiping culture (An Tai Sui, 安太岁) got its popularity.

Later on, 60 honorable generals were apotheosized as Tai Suis to assist the Jade Emperor in taking charge of the well-being of the mortal world. Each of them takes turn to be in charge for a year; 60 generals (Tai Sui) match the 60 years of Sexagenary cycle.

In the whole 60 years cycle of the Chinese Lunar Calender, there are total of 60 Tai Suis (六十太岁). One Tai-Sui is in charge of one particular year of the 60 years cycle.

Out of all these 60 Tai Suis, there's an Overall In-charge of all Tai Sui. His name is Yin Jiao (殷郊) – son of the Evil King Zhou of Shang Dynasty 商朝紂王之子 (with 3 Heads and 6 Arms 生有三頭六臂). Due to his fierce looking face, nowadays, he is being given the image of a Little Boy holding the Banner with Dang Nian Tai Sui (当年太岁), or Zhi Nian Tai Sui (值年太岁) written on it.

Praying to the Tai-Sui Deities
On the beginning of a new year, there will be 4 types of conflicts between the Tai-Sui Of the Year (Dang Nian Tai Sui -当年太岁) - and some of the 12 Earth branches (12 Chinese Zodiacs). The 4 conflicts are:
刑太岁 - Punishment Of Tai-Sui
沖太岁 - Opposing The Taisui
破太岁 - Destruction Of The Taisui
害太岁 - Harming The Taisui

If Tai-Sui (太岁) of that year crosses Your zodiac path, then You will have bad luck.

To pray to Tai Sui (During Chinese New Year / or Thanking Tai-Sui during Year End):

If You have very low budget, You may simply just follow the majority Chinese Folks who go to a Big Chinese Temple and buy incense sticks and Joss Papers and pray to the Tai-Sui Deity in charge of the Year. This method will at least still give You a peace of mind for one year but actually doesn't do much benefit to You.

If You have very high budget, the it is advisable to seek help from a Taoist Master, who caters a proper full set of Tai-Sui Prayer for You, which include hand written Tai-Sui Talismans, filled with Your Date Of Birth and Full Name, and go through a proper Tai-Sui Ritual for You. You may want to seek help from Taoist Sorcery Master. You have to provide Your Date Of Birth and Chinese Name (If You are a Chinese) and the fee for Tai-Sui Ritual is not cheap either.

According to Taoist Practice, the Best & Accurate Day to pay respect to the Lord Tai Sui of the New Lunar Year starts on the day of Li Chun (立春) - The Beginning of the Spring Season.

Important Note: There is consultation fee and ritual service charge when You seek help. The consultation fee & service charge are quite expensive and not anybody can afford it, or interested to pay for it. Kindly ask how much is the consultation service and ritual service fee when You seek help.